PL 100-400 Short User Review and Experience

First, this is not meant to be a technical lens review, I'll leave that to the professionals. I've now had two copies of this super telephoto zoom lens, and I really like it.  The first copy exhibited some bizarre near vertical streaking in the bokeh, but only under certain conditions. See my other thread about this if interested. In short, that weird bokeh caused me to want to try another copy and Amazon has a great return/exchange policy. My first copy also had pretty stiff zoom action though that was not a reason for exchange. And FWIW, Amazon sent me a replacement free of charge and second day air. Kudos.

I already love the image quality of the lens-- very sharp and contrasty, very well made, and it can be pretty easily hand held assuming decent light conditions. I haven't used copy two as much as I did copy one-- yet, but I have shot several hundred images with it and have not been able to replicate the near vertical streaking in the bokeh that I saw in copy one-- in some images. As a bonus, the zoom collar turns more smoothly too.

I can't see a difference in resolution/sharpness and am quite happy with the second copy. I have no explanation for the weird bokeh in copy one, but I'm glad I did exchange it. I don't see any issues w/ vignetting, CA, or distortion, but I don't know how much of that is corrected in software. I got this weather proof long zoom specifically for use with my EM1 and that's what all the sample images were taken with. I also have the EM5 II and EM10 II but have not tried it on either. It's a natural for the EM1 though.

Relative to other m43 lenses the PL 100-400 is heavy, but not so big. My basis for comparison is the excellent Oly 40-150 f2.8. I have not handled the Oly 300mm but it was not really a consideration for me as I needed/wanted the flexibility of the zoom range. Of course, as others have noted, this lens is soooo... much smaller and lighter than FF counter parts. The following images were all cropped and prepped in PSP X8-- a little or a lot-- depending. I really like the fact that this lens can be used for many subjects other than close-ups of birds and wildlife, e.g. landscapes and seascapes and so I've included a few of my attempts.  4.5 stars from me.

Beach Morning Glory, copy 1

His Highness on Seaside Aster. Copy 1 . An on belly, lens on beanbag shot.

Young buck, Cape Arago St. Pk. Copy 1

Seascape . Copy 1

Cape Arago St. Pk. Copy 1

Foxglove. Copy 1-- not all bokeh was bad.

Seascape (a composite that I like). Copy 1

Morning Glory. Copy 2.

A coastal Compositae. Copy 2.

Seaside Aster. Copy 2. I was on my belly w/ lens on beanbag for this shot.

Indian Paintbrush.  Copy one with good/normal bokeh.  I missed on 1st post attempt.   Wild flowers such as this often grow on steep inaccessible cliffs and the great reach of the PL 100-400 finally makes them accessible to me.  Lower down, the Oly 60mm was my go to lens-- until now.

Very very nice. You posted a nice variety of shots at different distances. The close focussing is quite impressive.

TX for sharing.  I keep saying I'll wait for autumn to get mine but ...........

Nice! I think pics 1-4 really show how versatile this lens is.

One thing is for sure -- you are putting the lens to some very good use.

I also have been through two copies. The first was a mint condition used copy bought from Adorama. It was inconsistent about focusing - sometimes having difficulty locking in perfectly good light.

I returned it to Adorama, who promptly issued a full refund and paid for return shipping -- hats off to them.

My second copy is a brand new one from Precision Camera here in Austin. It functions perfectly and is a really fine lens. I just broke it in on a two week trip to Banff, Jasper, and Glacier National Parks. I got some really nice shots and was particularly impressed with the amazingly good OIS in this lens -- and the very fast focusing.

I'm mostly a tripod shooter with telephotos, but this lens does allow a lot more hand holding -- I hope it doesn't make me lazy!

Your images are absolutely beautiful! You and the lens will clearly get along just fine.

Thanks for sharing.

Greg;  thanks much.  I've looked at your Canada vacation shots w/ the PL 100-400 and as typical of your photography in general, they're gorgeous.  I've been to the U.S. sideof Glacier Pk, but long ago.   I should have noted that when shooting wild flowers or other close-ups, I typically use a tripod too but leave the ball head loose for quick AF or composition change-- it seems the wind is always blowing here on the Oregon Coast and adjustments have to be done quickly.

Thank-you for your kind comments.

John

great photos and the 100-400 pan/leica is my favorite lens.

i forgot to previously mention that i can handhold EXCEPT on my last shoot at Mt Evans (over 14,000 ft) where the wind is usually so strong, i can barely stand up.

John

Out of interest, what was missing that would have lifted your verdict to five stars?

Paul;  that's a really good-- and tough question.  If 5 stars is perfect I don't believe in perfection in any man made device.  And then too, my first copy had "issues".  That said, I could easily live with 4.7 stars for the PL 100-400 and 4.8-4.9 for the Oly 40-150 f2.8.

I also own the Olympus 40-150 f2.8 PRO and I think it should rank .1 or .2 points above the PL 100-400 as it seems like a "just slightly" more finished product e.g. the 40-150 is an internal zoom, excellent exterior finish, and also weather proofed.

Most would not consider these two lenses direct competitors but to me they are as I'm mainly a JPEG shooter so I often use the built in 2X TC of the OMD bodies.  So that takes it out to 600mm f2.8 equivalent, and with good results.  Of course the 2X TC can also be used w/ the PL 100-400 though to date my results have been poor, but then the reach is already so long that this point is likely moot-- and I didn't try very hard.

Thanks for an interesting question.

John

Darrin;  at 14,000 ft I seriously doubt I could even stand -- let alone shoot;>)

JL

JohnLock wrote:

Darrin; at 14,000 ft I seriously doubt I could even stand -- let alone shoot;>)

JL

a monopod is great to keep your balance and as a hiking stick.

Well done, good overview and examples of how it may be a bit more varied than most people consider.

Many thanks for posting this and feeding my GAS.

Lots of very nice pix, refreshingly non-BIF or plane (although the BIFs and planes are really something too!). They illustrate your point nicely about the range of capabilities of the lens.

Thanks all for comments.

One other thing I like about this long telephoto lens is the way they handled tripod mounting.  I just leave the foot at home and use the much smaller built in non-removable tripod threads.  I would like to have seen that method used on the Oly 40-150 f2.8.  Oh, and the small sliding hood is OK too.

JL

I echo just about everyone's enthusiasm.  Only had mine for 2 weeks and not been able to shoot a lot, but I'm pretty happy with the results.  I too was torn between the PL 100-400 and the Oly 300 pro, but at these long focal lengths I think a fixed focal length can be very limiting.

My zoom ring is a bit rough (compared to the beautifully smooth Olympus Pros) but I'm either getting used to it or it's getting better with use.

A few early samples:

Kookaburra

Kookaburra

New Holland Honey Eater

Masked Lapwing

Magpie

Looking forward to trying it out at an airshow.

Beautiful

JohnLock wrote:

Thanks all for comments.

One other thing I like about this long telephoto lens is the way they handled tripod mounting. I just leave the foot at home and use the much smaller built in non-removable tripod threads. I would like to have seen that method used on the Oly 40-150 f2.8. Oh, and the small sliding hood is OK too.

JL

i love the sliding hood. i don't know if it would help to bring the additional hood. i like not having to carry around an extra hood and having to constantly reverse it.

Hi. Can you clarify about detaching the tripod foot? Sounds like there's other socketside to mount tripod plate? Do you need the foot to rotate camera/lens to vertical?

Tx

Tx;  there is a protruding lock knob toward the rear of the lens that when loosened will allow the camera to rotate 90 degrees counter clockwise.  This is with or without the tripod foot.  Depending on the tripod head additional clearance may be needed for this to work-- thus the tripod foot that extends the camera another 3/4" or so.

Actually I have not even tried to rotate my EM1 as for the few verticals I do shoot, I use the aspect ratios in the EM1 OMD menus which includes a 3:4 vertical.

Your question caused me to look into this more closely;>)  Thanks.

JL